The impact of outpatient rehabilitation on quality of life in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

It is well accepted that rehabilitative treatment can be effective in reducing disability and optimizing quality of life (QoL) of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitative treatment on QoL in patients suffering from MS. We selected 111 patients from a sample of 407 patients who had consecutively entered the MS Center of Catania (which is located in southern Italy) in 1998. Fifty-eight were randomly assigned to the study treatment and 53 to a waiting list (control treatment). Kurtzke's EDSS and quality of Life (QoL)were the primary endpoints. QoL was measured with the generic multi-item SF-36 scales. We also used: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression, the Tempelaar Social Experience Check-list (SET) for social activities and the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). The study treatment group was treated for 6 consecutive weeks, 6 days a week with a comprehensive rehabilitative outpatient model. The control treatment group was in a waiting list and was trained to self-exercises at home. EDSS remained unchanged in both groups. All health related QoL domains significantly improved in the study treatment (p < 0.001 in physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, and social functioning; p < 0.05 in vitality, role emotional and mental health). FIS, SET and BDI also improved significantly after the rehabilitative treatment in the study group (p < 0.001). The results of this study confirm the effectiveness of a short comprehensive outpatient model of rehabilitative treatment in people with MS and in particular in their QoL.

Neurorehabilitation in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: Scientific Basis and Options of Treatment

“…Inpatient setting was associated with a significant improvement in functional impairment [], disability [23], functional independence [25,38] and HRQoL [25,26]. Trials conducted in outpatient setting demonstrated effectiveness of rehabilitation in improvement of muscular strength [22], walking capacity [30], functional independence [27,38], HRQoL [22,24,26]. Home-based rehabilitation produced significant improvement in HRQoL [34, 82,83] Below, we report the conclusions of several systematic reviews which searched to assess the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in PwMS to explore rehabilitation approaches in different settings.…”

New Trends In Rehabilitation Of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

“…Dlatego głównym celem rehabilitacji osób z SR jest utrzymanie optymalnej sprawności fizycznej, psychicz- [5]. Analiza wyników badań potwierdza efektywność rehabilitacji jako czynnika zmniejszającego niepełnospraw-ność tej grupy chorych, a także poprawiającego jakość ich życia, niezależnie od tego czy rehabilitacja prowadzona jest w środowisku szpitalnym czy domowym [6,7]. Proces rehabilitacji obejmuje diagnozowanie, leczenie wczesne, zapobieganie powikłaniom, ciągłość oraz integrowanie społeczne [8].…”

“…Wpły-wa również na obniżenie jakości życia chorych. Choroba w szczególności wpływa na stan psychiczny pacjentów, zwłaszcza na ich procesy emocjonalne [1,6,37]. Szeroko rozumiana poprawa jakości życia, funkcjonowania społecznego i zawodowego są możliwe poprzez edukację społeczną osób z SR. Może być ona realizowana w Stowarzyszeniach Osób ze Stwardnieniem Rozsianym lub Klubach Osób ze Stwardnieniem Rozsianym.…”

Demographic and Clinical Features of Hospitalized Multiple Sclerosis Patients Undergoing a Rehabilitation Program at our Clinic

“…It was stated in a Cochrane review that consisted of 14 randomized controlled and controlled clinical trials that a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach was at the "strong evidence" level for short-term gains in the level of activity and participation in MS patients (1). There are a limited number of investigations about MS rehabilitation in the literature (1,(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Therefore, in our study, we aimed to review the sociodemographic and clinical features of the MS patients who were hospitalized at our inpatient clinic and the rehabilitation methods applied and to shed light on the studies that would be conducted on this subject.…”